Lock.



Patented Dec. 3|, I90l; J. G. SAXE.

No. 69mm.

LOCK.

(Application filed Aug. 14, 1901.)

(No Model.)

I IN VEIV TOR Jam 6. SIXA' ,1 Atlorneys.

UNTTEE STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. SAXE, OF DELRAY, MICHIGAN.

LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,191, dated December31, 1901.

Application filed August 14, 1901. $erial No. 72,025. (No model.)

the county of Wayne and State of Michigan,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being bad therein' to theaccompanying drawings.

' The invention relates generally to looks, and particularly to acombination-lock; and the invention consists in the peculiarconstruction of a lock of the type referred to and in the novelarrangement and combination of its various parts, as will be more fullyhereinafter described. I

In the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a sectionalperspective view of the lock. Fig. 2 is a detached sectional perspectiveview of one of the lock-bars; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view through amailbox, showing my lock applied thereto.

In the drawings thus briefly referred to, the reference-letterArepresents the lock proper, comprising, essentially, a series oflock-bars B, preferably five in number, one of the bars being partlybroken away for the purpose of illustrating the construction of thebase. These bars, as shown, are preferably arranged for sliding movementand within a frame 0, the bars projecting through suitable openingsformed in the frame ends for this purpose, and the openings beingpreferably rectangular, conforming to the external contour of the barsand preventing rotary movement of the latter.

The lock-bars described are preferably of equal length, and each isprovided with a block D, having a longitudinal groove formed in its topto receive the bar. Each block is also recessed or apertured on itsunder side, as shown at E, and the openings are so formed within theblocks that when the latter are in parallel alinement, as indicated inFig. 1, no two of the apertures or notches in the blocks will be inregistration.

F is a connecting member or cross-block arranged centrally on the top ofeach block, and G designates a set-screw extending through the crossmember into engagement with the bar. The blocks are thus adjustable uponthe bars and are adapted to travel upon the actu ation of the barswithin grooves II, formed in a suitable base plate orsection I,uponwhich the frame rests.

The frame at one side is recessed centrally, as at J, the size of therecess corresponding to the size of the opening or notch in the blocks.Through this opening the lock hasp K is adapted to extend and to slidewithin a cross groove or gnideway L in the base. The hasp, as shown, isin the form of a notched bar, the notches corresponding in number to thenumber of bars and being adapted to re ceive the blocks, which when thehasp is inserted within the look are adapted to slide within thenotches.

From the construction of the look as thus set forth it will be obviousthat the hasp can only be inserted within the frame or withdrawn fromthe latter when the notched blocks upon the bars are in registration inalinement with the notch J in the frame side. The blocks are maintainednormally out 'of alinement with the hasp by means of coiled springs M,which encircle the bars and bear normally against collars 0 upon thelatter and the frame end b. As shown in Fig. 1, the construction of theparts is such that the blocks are held normally against the frame end I)to one side of the notch J in the frame. To actuate the bars for thepurpose of bringing the notches in the blocks into registration inalinement with the notch J, through which the hasp passes, a key 0 isemployed, consisting, essentially, of a holder P and a series of wardsQ, each having a sliding engagement with the holder and adjustablysecured therein. The holder is preferably yokeshaped in configuration,as shown, and is provided with a cross-bar R, which connects theparallel members of the yoke at a considerable distance from their freeends, the latter serving in the manner hereinafter set forth as guidesfor the key. The cross-bar is provided with longitudinal openingsextending thereth rough, in which the wards are arranged, and the latterare preferably secured in position by means of set-screws S, as plainlyshown in Fig. 1.

In operation the key-wards are presented against the ends of thelock-bars, and by forcing the key inward against the tension of thesprings the notches in the blocks are brought into proper alinement withthe hasp and will allow of the latter being withdrawn or inserted. Thedifierent combinations of lhe lock are obtained by adjusting the notchedblocks upon the lock-bars and by effecting a corresponding adjustment ofthe wards within. the key. Thus when a block on one of the lock-bars ismoved toward the end of the latter opposite to the spring thecorresponding ward in the key is moved forwardlythrough the cross-bar Ra corresponding amount. It will be obvious from the description of thelock that a great many combinations can be made, and at the same timethe lock is exceedingly simple in form, durable in construction, and maybe readily and cheaply manufactured.

It is to be noted in the construction of the lock that in addition tohaving the notches in the blocks normally out of alinement when theblocks themselves are in parallelism the blocks are capable of movementrearwardly beyond the line of registration-with the notch J in theframe. By means of this construction persons tampering with the lock areprevented from ascertaining by the insertion of wire or similar deviceswithin the look how far the respective lock-bars are required to bemoved to permit of the withdrawal of the hasp. I preferably provide theframe with an extension of less width than the frame. This extension ispreferably rectangular in configuration and is provided with a series ofopenings 0 in the end d, which are adapted to receive the wards of thekey. The extension, as will be observed, forms a guide for the key inorder that the lock may be readily manipulated, and as a furtherconvenience the extension is of a width to fit and slide between the endportions of the yoke-shaped frame, the end portions referred to servingas additional guides and facilitating the in sertion of the key.

In Fig. 3 my improved lock is shown as applied to a mail-box, the haspbeing carried by the lid or door U of the box and being preferablypivoted between ears or lugs 6. By thus connecting the hasp sidewisemovement is prevented and the necessity of providing a guide, such asshown in Fig. 1, for the notched bar is obviated. Also it will beobvious that the lock-bars may be arranged upon the bottom of the box insuch manner that the frame described in which the bars are shown totravel may be entirely dispensed with. I do not desire, therefore, to belimited to the exact construction shown and described, as the lock issusceptible of many modifications without in any manner departingfromthe spirit of my invention.

What I claim as my invention is-- 1. In a lock, the combination with thenotched hasp, of a series of slidable lock-bars extending transverselyof the hasp and adapted to engage the notches therein, and a notchedmember adj ustably secured to each lock-bar, one or more of said membersbeing arranged with the notch or notches normally out of alinement withthe hasp.

2. In a lock, the combination with the notched hasp, of a series ofslidable lock-bars extending transversely of the hasp and adapted toengage the notches therein, a notched block having a sliding engagementwith and adjustably secured to each lock -bar, and springs for saidlock-bars adapted to maintain the notched blocks normally out of aline=ment with the hasp.

3. In a lock, the combination with a basesection having a plurality ofgrooves formed therein, of a frame mounted upon the base having ahasp-opening formed in one of its sides, a series of lock-bars extendingthrough the frame ends and having a sliding engagement therewith,notched blocks adjustably secured to the lock-bars and sliding withinthe grooves formed in the base and springs for said lock-bars acting tomaintain the blocks normally in abutment with one of the frame ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. SAXE.

Witnesses:

L. J. WHITTEMORE, M. B. ODOGHERTY.

